Imagine a small Caribbean island named St George's Caye, twenty
minutes by boat from the mainland of Belize, lying next to and protected by one
of the world's longest barrier reefs. Imagine, astride this sunkissed tropical
hideaway, a quaint little resort bathed by the warm, soothing trade winds.

It's a
world away from the rush and crush of the city, a world where the only noise is
the rustle of the coconut palms. No town, no traffic, no people, no harassment.
Take off your shoes. Welcome to Cottage Colony. The individual colonial-styled
cottages are built for comfort, and include shower, air conditioning or fan.

View the early morning sunrise from your verandah or take the few steps to
the waters edge for your moonlight promenade.

Dining in the full service restaurant is always a pleasure. The fare includes
fresh fish catches and local dishes as well as international cuisine, always
accompanied of course by a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. The
upstairs restaurant and bar overlook the sparkling turquoises of the Caribbean
mere feet away. Lounge a while on the broad verandah, enjoy the locally brewed
rums and beer, or an expertly mixed tropical cocktail, while letting your gaze
be drawn by the swaying palms to the gentle surf of the barrier reef beyond.
Out there is where you can sail or windsurf or snorkel or dive. Spectacular
coral formations, schools of wildly exotic fish. Turtles, dolphins, manatee.
Water that's a perfect temperature for playing in all day.....the aquatic
university of the resident PADI dive instructor.

Cottage Colony will soothe away your cares. The only decision you need to
make is how much you want to fish, sail, swim, snorkel or dive. Or just simply
relax.

This small caye, 9 miles North-East of Belize City, is steeped in
history and was once the home of buccaneers and pirates. Between 1650 and 1784
it was the first capital of the British settlement. The island's greatest moment
of glory came on 10th September 1798 at the Battle of St. George's Caye.

THE BATTLE OF ST. GEORGE'S CAYE - A BRIEF
HISTORY:

Just over 200 years ago the Baymen of Belize prepared to
defend their tiny settlement against a Spanish invasion of 32 ships carrying
2,000 troops and 500 seamen. The Baymen's modest fleet consisted of one sloop
- HMS Merlin - with approximately 117 sailors and
troops on board, two sloops with 25 men each and seven gun flats with 16 men
each. The decisive battle was going to take place in the waters around St.
George's Caye. At the sound of the first gunfire about 200 colonial troops
and Baymen, who had been left to guard the mainland, could not be restrained
from going to the aid of the Merlin.Fishing smacks,
dories, pitpans and anything else that could float set off with whatever arms
could be mustered. Black men and white men fought courageously side by side,
miraculously without the loss of a single life! The Spanish were not quite so
fortunate and many of the dead are buried on nearby Caye Chappel.
Incredibly, on that memorable day - heavily outnumbered and against all
the odds - the Baymen achieved a decisive victory. This was the last
attempt made by the Spanish to oust the British from Belize . . .